Saturday, May 30, 2009

I love how our Captain announced that it was going to be "mostly clear skies for our flight." Well...I guess in all fairness, that is a subjective statement.I could not tell you the address of this cloud.My favorite New York airport, La Guardia. The polka-dot tower always made me feel like I was home.NEW YORK HAS CHANGED

I can't believe how much. The thing that struck me the most was how New Yorkers smiled back at me immediately. Many of you know that when I lived in New York all those years ago, that I would play the "smiling game"; I would smile at people and time how long it would take for them to smile back at me. The average time, if they smiled back at all, was just about two seconds. That seems short, but as you are waiting for that reciprocation of a friendly gesture, it seems like an eternity. Now, they smile back immediately...I'm not exaggerating, I was so shocked that I started talking to a lot of people about it...they say that it has been this way since 9/11.This was so encouraging to me that I turned my "bucket of sunshine" meter up all the way to 11, and smiled at almost EVERYONE (if I didn't think that they would follow me all over Manhattan for doing so). Also, because it had been so long since I had been back, I was truly a tourist again.So, if you had seen a snapshot of me...it would have been me smiling at everybody...in between me looking up at every skyscraper, in heaven.What a bright spot I will always remember this trip to be.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Wow...this morning changed me forever, I think. The feeling in the United Nations Headquarters is like nothing else I have ever experienced; there is a feeling of peace and goodness there that is almost overwhelming. Holy Moly. My friend, Muriel Glasgow, who has worked at the UN for over thirty years, specifically for UNICEF, showed me around, a totally behind the scenes tour...it was so amazing I don't even know how to describe it to you. And if you can believe this, the guards even let me into the Security Council Chamber, which is TOTALLY sealed to the public. Muriel said that it was only the second time she had ever seen them let a civilian in that room, in all the years that she has worked there. She truly believes that I will be able to be a UN Ambassador to Africa; my dream...for so many years.

The General Assembly Room

The Trusteeship Council Room

The Security Council ChamberUm. Yeah. Priceless.Here she is, Misses Muriel Glasgow. She is a giant among women.

One of my absolute favorite pieces of art at the UN. Underneath text is from one of the UN's official websites. It describes the mosaic done from Norman Rockwell's "The Golden Rule.""On the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of the United Nations in 1985, this mosaic was presented to the United Nations by Mrs. Nancy Reagan, the then First Lady, on behalf of the United States.It is based on a painting by the American artist Norman Rockwell called the Golden Rule. Rockwell wanted to illustrate how the Golden Rule was a common theme of all the major religions of the world, and depicted people of every race, creed and color with dignity and respect. The mosaic contains the inscription 'Do unto Others as You Would Have Them Do unto You'."

Please.

Unreal. Unreal. UN Real.

I have been given so many blessings and miracles while on this trip. I am so grateful. So grateful. So grateful. What an experience it has been to be back in New York City. All the best, Jeanne

Why? Why Keane Merch team, why?I would like Radio City Music Hall Security to know that I was pinged with two of these glowing projectiles during the show. It's cool.Keane...at Radio City Music Hall? Top.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

I am at the Public Library of Harlem. It is so cool to be up here, I love these people.I am now staying with my friend Jen Bishop, she and I had the same agency, back in the day. I wish that I had more energy...I want to make it down to Rockefeller Center today, I have just got to make myself do it.I believe that it is going to rain tomorrow. It is still hard for me to believe that I am here. I keep having to remind myself that this is really me, existing in New York. I have found that I have changed so much since I lived here 10 years ago. I feel like I have lived my whole life since I left, as if this all never existed. It makes me sad for some reason. Oh! How I did cry yesterday seeing my old place,on 84th and Lexington, and for some strange reason, seeing my old favorite Greek market, Likitsakos, I sobbed...I think I have gone New York Mental...the poor boy cleaning the back deli case I think thought I was going to loose it completely. Last night, I went up to the roof of the 85th and Broadway apartment (that I have been staying in for three days and left just this morning)...and I just looked up at the stars...forever it seemed. The big dipper was so clear that I could even see Alcor. I don't remember being able to see the stars like that when I lived here. Also, from the girl's rooftop you could see the skyline...it was overwhelming. I have been able to do very well in regards to having enough energy to walk to the places that I want to see. I feel so lucky in that way.I will get to see Keane tomorrow at Radio City Music Hall. That is my dream venue to headline one day. I so very much hope that it happens.Well, back out to Harlem, and then to Rockefeller, I just GOTTA see it today!With love from New York,JeanneON THE WAY DOWNAh...to perform here one day.The guards here still treat me like gold. I don't know why, but they always have. I love Tiffanys.In truth, this is my dream venue. I like this photo because it looks like it was taken in the 30's.

Monday, May 25, 2009

I went to see my old apartment today, on Lexington and 84th. And, went to my favorite market up there, Likitsakos.My poor roommate, Veronica, sang (endured) many torturous duets with me at this little restaurant kiddy-corner from our apt. We would sing "That's Amore." Bless her heart for singing with me on the choruses. Hey, we got free food out of it, right? Man...those were some good times. I will never forget it. This is also where I met my dear, dear friend, Laura Esposito.My old apartment building. Not much has changed. Not much has changed at all.Don't ask me why...but of the whole of the New York trip, this is the placed that tipped the scales of my heart the most. I bawled my eyes out as I walked in. After a moderate amount of calm down, I noticed a little girl there named Isabella, shopping with her Mom. She was exquisitely beautiful and I told her so. We left the market at the same time, and little Isabella gave me about six high fives as we walked side by side for two blocks. I love things like that.LIKITSAKOS1174 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10028(212) 535-4300I saw this walking down Lexington...about 64th St. I laughed for a good three blocks after. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

LITTLE ITALY IL CORTILE125 Mulberry St # ANew York, NY 10013(212) 226-6060My FAVORITE restaurant in Little Italy. And that...is saying something. This is where the Mafia eats. You think I'm kidding...I'm not.Evil, on so many levels, I know. I didn't eat AAAALLLLLLLLLLL of it!The reason for the restaurant's name; "The Courtyard." I sang "O Sole Mio" for everyone, it was just like old times. I love being here...I love being here so much.

I am now sitting in an internet cafe in SOHO. Boy was I lucky to find one. Oooo, SOHO. It is almost painful being back down in this area. The cobblestone streets whisper to you... DEAN and DELUCA560 Broadway, New York, NY 10012at Prince St. (212)-226-6800Dean and Deluca. meh-hoo-meh-hoo-meh. If you have been here...you know what I mean.Somewhere in SOHO.I got my picture taken by a man named Primativo, on the corner of Spring St. and Green St.. I am so glad that I did; especially in this shirt. If you look very closely, you can see the one of the "doves" is actually a grenade. The name of the shirt is "War and Peace, can you tell the difference?"

Sunset in the East Village.Union Square.From the roof of the apartment that I am staying at.

Today, I went to one of the most famous Baptist Church in the world, Abyssynian Baptist Church in Harlem. By some miracle (truly), they let me in...after they had turned 150 people away because the church was already full. The choir was so mind blowing, I don't even know what to say. They were singing "Battle Hymn of the Republic" when I walked in. Coming from them...it was a whole different experience.

The Abyssyinain Choir singing "Battle Hymn of the Republic."

A totally illegal picture. I hope you enjoy it.I hung out in Central Park the rest of the day with a friend I made named Cindy.There was a pink sunset over Columbus Circle.Love.My favorite Statue of Central Park. He is on the entrance by Columbus Circle. When I lived in New York, I called him "my husband." :)

This morning...one of the most amazing things that has ever happened in my life happened. We were checking out of our hotel room at the Crowne Plaza and I saw that two women were coming near to us. One was a manager named Mary, and the other who worked as a chamber maid whose name was Catalina. As they came towards us I struck up a conversation with them in Spanish and the happiness that was so evident on their faces permeated the hall. The Spanish neural-clusters in my brain opened and I was able to speak it so clearly with them...it was amazing to me. Mary said that if I needed anything, ANYTHING at all, to just give her a call. The thing that I will never forget though, was as we were taking the last load to the elevator, Catalina came back through the hall, and I started speaking to her again, in Spanish. My Aunt was there, too, and as Catalina and I were talking, I noticed the necklace around her neck and how gorgeous it was, and I thought I would compliment her on it (man I can't even think about it with out tearing up...) "Que LINDO!!!" I said. "Te lo doy!!" She said and began to take the necklace off of her neck..."No! NO! NO! Por favor, NO!" But she would not take no for an answer. Fortunately, I had an extra one of my CDs with me and I pulled it out of my purse, "Pues, esto es para ti! Esto es mi cd, yo soy una cantera operatica, para ti." "Tu sobrina tiene una alma bella" she said to my Aunt, and then I handed her my CD.People...you would think that I had given her the keys to a new car the way she reacted when I gave her that CD. Catalina held it to her chest, did a ballerina twirl like a beautiful little girl and literally danced down the hallway with it and disappeared around the corner. COMPLETELY dumbfounded, I waited in front of the elevator doors and just cried. I will remember that moment, for as long as I live.

The necklace.

All because I spoke their language.

All because I spoke their language.

You know, many of you have heard me say that I feel like the best gift that you can give someone is to speak to them in their own language...but...now I feel, I truly believe that speaking to someone in their own language...is the deepest act of love.

*LATER*I went to the Upper East Side to stay with an apartment of girls from my church. One them was a ballerina in the American Ballet Theater Company which performs at the Metropolitan Opera and she had an extra ticket that she was not going to use as it was her night off, so she gave it to me. So I got to go back to my old place, the Met, where I worked as an usher for a year. And yes, that is where I saved Placido Domingo.

These pictures are so illegal it's not even funny. Again...I hope you enjoy them.Man, I remember these...I am so obsessed with clowns...dangit, I know.Caruso. One of my absolute heros of all time. Do you know, one of the things that he was famous for was going out on the balcony of his hotel room, or of the Opera House that he was performing in, and he would sing from the balcony to the people down below who were too poor to afford a ticket to go into the Opera house to see him. They called him, the "Singer for the People." I love that. I love that so much I cannot even explain.